Heavy security is in place ahead of Mahakumbh 2025, with the Intelligence Bureau picking up several inputs about terror elements trying to disrupt the event.
Credible intelligence inputs have been picked up regarding terror threats and counterfeiters trying to push fake notes in large numbers. The world’s biggest religious and spiritual congregation, Mahakumbh, will commence on January 13 on the banks of the Ganga in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
An Intelligence Bureau official tells the Organiser that, as per the inputs they have received, there are at least three perceptions of threat to the event. The official, however, said that there was no cause for concern as the security mechanism has been stepped up in such a manner that it would be next to impossible to create any problem.
Threat from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
While there were inputs about Khalistani elements trying to disrupt the event, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the proscribed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), issued an open threat.
Spewing venom against the event, Pannun released a video threatening to disrupt the event. In the video, he says that he would disrupt the key bathing dates of the Magh Mela on January 14 and January 29.
Pannun has made such delusional threats in the past as well. At the Math Mela, Sikhs and Hindus are united, and his threat is only an attempt to incite violence and create division.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, the president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad said that it is the Sikh community that has kept the Sanatan tradition alive and they have safeguarded Sanatan Dharma.
Pannun’s threat appeared to be more of a frustrating one as it came a few days after the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police gunned down three operatives of the banned Khalistan Zindabad Force.
Pannun also issued a separate threat to the three-day Pravasi Bharatiya Divas to be held from January 8 onwards.
In a separate incident, a man was booked for threatening to carry out a blast during the Mahakumbh. The FIR was lodged by the UP police after the threat was issued by a man through a Facebook post.
The Dawood threat
Another threat that is being analysed is the one from the Dawood Ibrahim syndicate. This is the wake of the Intelligence agencies picking up intercepts of the gang trying to activate its modules which are aimed at targeting Hindus.
The same modules were active in 2019 and had attempted to carry out killings in Gujarat of two Hindu leaders. The Intelligence agencies say that the D-Gang has been trying to activate more such modules to target Hindu leaders in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
In the wake of the Mahakumbh event, the D gang may look to activate its UP module. This module would look to target the religious congregation considering the large number of Hindus who would gather there.
Officials say that there is a perception of threats. Further, there are Intelligence inputs about the same. While the agencies are analysing the intelligence, it has not yet been found to be actionable.
Counterfeiting
Another major headache for security agencies is that of counterfeit currency making its way into the event. The security officials are keeping a close watch on elements who could try to circulate fake currency notes during the event. During the Mahakumbh, crores of rupees will be exchanged, and this provides counterfeiters an ample opportunity to do business.
The threat perception is high in the wake of fake notes being seized from a madrasa in Shravasti, which is 265 kilometres from Prayagraj. The police suspect that this operation may have been initiated with the specific intention of circulating fake currency during the religious congregation. Such a large event provides the perfect opportunity for counterfeiters as it is a tedious task to keep a watch on each and every transaction.
The Mahakumbh will generate crores of rupees as an estimated 45 crore people are likely to attend.
During the raid in Shravasti, fake notes to the tune of 34,500 were seized along with one printer, two laptops, ink, an illegal firearm, cartridges and other equipment. Five persons were arrested in connection with this case.
High-level security
Security agencies are leaving nothing to chance. Security has been enhanced at the Temples and key places in Mahakumbh Nagar, while the Intelligence systems have been active in the Mahakumbh Mela area.
Further three-tier security checks are in place in addition to a three-level Intelligence system. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while reviewing the security arrangements, instructed officials to remain alert. He said that the Mahakumbh was a mega event and no terror group should be allowed to infiltrate it.
The police have also set up robust cyber security measures to ensure the safety of devotees coming in from abroad. 37,611 policemen are being deployed to secure the event. The police personnel from various units are being deployed with coordination between various departments and the local Intelligence agencies.
